Velocipede



D. J. MOODY.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

VBLOGIPEDB.

(No Model.)

afan/tor: :Waag @wf/@W9 Z ff a Patented Apr.. 19, 1892.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

D. J. MOODY.

VELOGIPBDE.

Patented Apr. I9, v1892.

(No Model.) 3 sheets-#sheen 3.' D. J. MOODY. VELQGIPEDE. l No. 473,196. y132111611131611Apr. 19, 1892.

B Q/ W y z E L e "l ed z: l E 1 l e I e I] 7 l 7* :L

6 M 1 e e se if L92' Q2 L Aes/ rn: "cams parus eo., mmLrrNo.. WASHINGTON n UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID J. MOODY, OF ST. LOUIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES D. MOODY, OF VEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,196, dated April 19, 1892.

Application filed July 28, 1890.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Bc it known that I, DAVID J. MOODY, formerly of Lowell, Massachusetts, now of St. Louis, Missouri, have made a new and useful Improvement in Tricycles and other Carriages, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to that class of carriages which are propelled by the occupant; and it consists in the means, substantially as is hereinafter set forth and claimed, aided by the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a plan of the improved carriage, one of the arms being broken away and the belts being omitted; Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof, the near main wheel being omitted; Fig. 3, an elevation, looking at the opposite side of the carriage to that presented in Fig. 2, but showing only the rocker and the parts immediately therewith connected, one of the rocker-supports being in section;.Fig. 4, a rear elevation of a carriage, a portion of one of the ratchet mechanisms being in section and the belts omitted; Fig. 5, a side elevation of the upper part of the steering mechanism.

The same letters of reference denote the same parts.

In the present carriage power exerted by the occupant is transmitted to a rocking device hereinafter termed the rocker, and the movement of the rocker in turn is transmuted into rotary motion of the main axle of thel carriage, which is thereby propelled.

The rider seats himself upon the rocker and grasps a hold-such, for instance, as the tiller of the steering-bar-and by shifting his weight, but aided, if desired, bypressing his feet against a shoulder-suchas a foot-boardin rocking backward and pulling upon the tiller in rocking forward, eects the backward and forward movement of the rocker, and thereby propels the carriage.

A spring at the back of the rocker can be used to promote the forward movement thereof, and the movement may be further facilitated by making the upper portion of the tiller-support in the form of a spring.

Additional features of the construction are the provision whereby the fulcrum of the rocker is shifted forward and backward in Serial No. 360,195. (No model.)

the carriage as the rocker is rocked forward and backward, the provision whereby the riders seat can turn upon the rocker to suit the position of the rider as the rocker is moved, and other combinations of parts whereby other advantages are obtained, substantially as is hereinafter described.

A represents the main or driving axle; B B, the main wheels; O, the front or steering wheel, and D the steering-bar, in whose lower forked end the steering-wheel O is journaled, and to whose upper end the tiller el is attached.

E represents a frame-work supported at its rear end from the axle A and extending thence forward and at or toward its forward end connected with the steering-bar D, but so that the steering-bar carrying thesteeringwheel can be turned therein to guide the carriage when it is desired to turn to the right or left. This frame-work, in addition to uniting the main wheels and axle with the steering-wheel, serves to support the rocker and the means for transmitting its movement to the parts connected with the axle A. To this end the preferable form of the frame-work is the one shown. A pair of bars e e, by means of the tubular fittings e c', are connected with the axle A toward the sides, respectively, of the carriage and in such a manner as to permit of the rotation of the axle, and extend thence downward, and by means of the tittings e2 e2 are united with the horizontal bars c3 e3, respectively. The last-named bars at the rear end thereof are united by means of the cross-bar e4, and at the forward end thereof the bars e3 e3 curve upward and inward, substantially as shown; and are united toa head e5, in which the steering-bar D is journaled. The head e5 bears upon the upper end of the fork d ofthe steering-bar. A collar or nut e6 serves to prevent the head e5 from rising on the steering-bar. Braces e7 e7 lead from the bars e3 e3, respectively, at a point in the rear of the head e5 upward and inward, and at the upper end thereof are united to the tubular itting es, through which the steering-bar D passes and in which it is journaled. At a point in front of the location of the rockera cross-bar e9 extends across the carriage and is connected with the bars e3 e3 by means of the fittings ew ew. Another IOO pair c11 c of bars extend from the axleAforward to a point in advance of the rocker, and thence downward to connect with the crossbar e. Their connections with the axle is by means of the tubular fittings cl2 el2 to permit of the rotation of the axle, and with the crossbar by means of the fittings cl3 cl3. An additional part of the frame-work is the crossbar c, Fig. a, which is attached to the bars c e toward the upper end thereof.

F F represent what may be termed the rocker-supports. They extend longitudinally in the carriage, so as to uphold and provide for the movement of the rocker, and as the most desirable construction they are in the form of bars L-shaped in cross-section, and they extend from the cross-bar el to the cross-bar c, t0 which bars they are attached, substantially as shown, and they are perforatedatff, Fig. 3, to receive the teeth g g of the rocker G, substantially as shown. This last-named part may be variously shaped and adapted to be tilted or rocked andthe object of the improvement more or less attained. I prefer, however, the special construction shownthat is,aframe whose part or parts which bear immediately upon the rocker-supports arc in the form of curved bars g g', substantially similar to those used upon a rocking-chair. The advantage accruing therefrom is this: As the rocker is moved forward and backward in the carriage, as described, its teeth g g engage successively in the perforationsff of the supports F F, and that perforation or perforations which for the time being are occupied by the rocker-teeth constitute the fulcru m of the rocker-that is, the fulcrum shifts alongl the supports F F with the movement of the rocker, the effect of which is to shorten the distance between the fulcrum and that point of the rocker from which its movement is transmitted more and more as the rocker approaches the end of its half-strokem that is,at the beginning of the half-stroke of the rocker, as in Fig. 3, the rocker-fulcrum is farthest removed from thepoint of resistance to the movement of the rocker and the power of the rider is exerted least advantageously; but as the rocker moves the power is applied more and more advantageously, and at the end of the half-stroke it is applied most advantageously of all. This I consider preferable to a rocker whose fulcrum is fixed, for in initiating the movementof therocker upon its half -stroke less power suffices, whereas after the rocker has acquired some momentum more power can be profitably used, and at the end of the half-stroke of the rocker the entire force exerted by the rider can be most beneficially utilized. The rocker in the present instance has two uprights g2 g2, suitably united by means of cross-rods, such as g3, Fig. 4, to form a suitable frame for the purpose in view. The curved bars ggform or are applied to the lower ends, respectively, of the uprights.

The riders seat II, at or near the top of the rocker, is preferably not rigidly attached to the rocker, but is jointed thereto to enable the seat to remain in a more horizontal position in use than would be practicable if it were fixed upon the rocker. To this end the seat is journaled at h upon the rod g2 to enable it to be turned substantially as is indicated by its various positions shown and indicated in Figs. 2 and The seat-rod g2 may rest on springs g4 g, which in turn are attached to the rocker. The seat may be of any shape suited to the purpose. The rocker has springs g, which as the rocker turns backward encounters a sh oulder--say the bar cm--and cushions the movement in that direction of the rocker and also assists in starting the rocker in its forward movement. The springs might be attached to a xed part of the structure and the rocker adapted to encounter them.

The rocker and riders seat and other parts of the construction are preferably adaptedso that on the backward movementof the rocker the scat can pass slightly above the level of the axle A. The power exerted by the rider is, as stated, applied to the rocker and thence to the driving-axle A.

The power can be taken oil' the rocker at various points thereof. I preferably locate these points well down in the rocker, as follows: I represents a sheave jeurnaled at 'L' upon the forward end of the right-hand one of the bars g g of the rocker. J represents a similar sheave journaled atj upon the rearward end of the left-hand one of the bars g g. A pair of ratchet mechanisms K and L, analogous in construction and operation to those already used upon bicycles, such as the Star, are applied to the axle A and so as to effect the forward rotary movement of the axle when the belts 7c and Z, belonging, respectively, to the ratchets,are drawn out. The belt 7.: leads from the ratchet K forward over a sh cave 7c', journaled in a bracket 7g2, attached to the right-hand one of the bars e e, and thence downward underneath and around the sheave I and thence upward to a level above that of the sheave I, where it is secured to a fixturesay the bar which supports the bracket 7a2. The belt Z leads from the ratchet L downward and underneath and around the sheave J, and thence upward to a level above that of the sheave J, where it is secured to a fixture--say the cross-bar el".

Inopera-tion the rider occupies the seat II, places his feet upon the foot-board M, which is supported upon the bars c3 e, and grasps the tiller d. By shifting his weight to incline the rocker forward, and also, if he chooses, by drawing upon the tiller, he causes the rocker to turn forward, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 2, thesheave I to be thereby depressed and the belt 7.: thereby drawn out. The movement of the belt effects the rotation of the ratchet K and axle A, and the carriage is propelled forward. On the return half-stroke the rider shifts his weight to incline the rocker backward, and, also, prefera- IOO IIO

bly, pushes himself backward, partly by pressing with his hand against the tiller, but more especially with his feet against the foot-board Azo M. This last-describedmovement causes the rocker to be turned backward, as shown in Fig. 3, the sheave J to be depressed, and the belt Z thereby drawn out. This causes the ratchet L and axle A to be rotated and the carriage to be propelled forward. By continuing to move the rocker in the described manner the propulsion of the carriage is maintained. As either belt is being drawn out and its ratchet thereby rotated in a forward direction the other ot' the belts is by means of the ratchet mechanism being wound upon its ratchet. The ratchets are also, as stated, of the usual construction, which permits of the continued forward rotation of the axle A after the belts have ceased to draw upon the ratchets. doubled around their respective sheavesI and J their movement is twice as far, substantially, as is the movement of said sheaves, and hence the pull upon the ratchets is correspondingly prolonged.

The steering-bar D is journaled advantageously in the two bearings e5 es, and the frame-work in turn is advantageously supported atits forward end. The upper portion Z2 of the steering-baris preferablyin the form of a spring, capable of being sprung substantially as is indicated by its positions shown, respectively, in Figs. 2 and 5. As the rider moves backward the part (Z2 is sprung backward, as indicated in Fig. 5, and on the return the recovery of the spring promotes the forward movement of the rocker. The part Z2 thus coacts with the springs g5. On the backward movement of the rocker such auxiliary aid as may be supplied by springs is not so much needed.

N represents a brake, which'may be advantageously used. At its upper end it is provided with a suitable lever n, constructed and adapted to be operated in the customary mauner, and from its point of connection with the lever it extends downward past the part Z2 and through the lower tubular portion of the steering-bar, and at its lower en d isprovided with a shoe n', which when the brake-lever n is turned upon its fulcrum n2 is applied to the steering-wheel. By turning the bar D in its bearings e5 e8 to the right or left the carriage is guided as desired. I desire not to be restricted to this special form of steering mechanism. The bar D and its tiller d, however, constitute a convenient hold for the rider to grasp in operating the rocker, as described, irrespective of the matter of directing the movement of the carriage. The inclination backward of the bar and tiller, substantially as shown, is desirable, in that the hold for his hands is in a convenient position. Nor do I wish to be limited to a direct connecrtion between the rocker and the ratchets upon As the belts Zo and Z are the axle A, for the described movement'of the rocker may be imparted to intermediate mechanism, whose movement in turn may be transmitted to the ratchets. Neither do I wish to be restricted to a tricycle, as the described rocker and supports and other coacting parts can be used in other forms of carriages. Further, I do not conn'e myself to the special means herein shown in providing a movable fulcrum for a rocker. It should also be noted that either ratchet and belt, in combination with the rocker, substantially as described, is operative by itself. It is better, however, to employ the two ratchets and belts and associated parts, as thereby the best result is obtained. It will be seen that owing to the depression of the frame-work below the level of the main axle, as shown, the rocker and footboard can be carried low down in the carriage and the stableness of the carriage thereby be increased. The carriage is also easy to enter.

l. A carriage having the rocker and the riders seat, said seat being adjustable to turn in a vertical plane upon said rocker, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a carriage, of the main axle, ratchets, and belts, the framework, the rocker, the rocker-supports, and the belt-sheaves, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a carriage, of the rocker and the spring-tiller, substantially as described.

t. The combination, in a carriage, of the rocker, the spring-tiller, and the foot-board, substantially as described. i

5. The combination of the main wheels and axle, the frame-work, the steering-wheel, the steering-bar and tiller, the foot-board, the rocker, and the rocker-supports, the ratchets, the belts, and the belt-sheaves, substantially as described.

IOO

6. The combination of the main axle and ratchet K, the belt Zt, the frame-work, the rocker, and the sheaves Zt and I, substantially as described.

'7. The combination of the main wheel and the ratchet L, the belt Z, the frame-work, the rocker, and the sheave J, substantially as described.

8. The combination, in a carriage, of the rocker, the adjustable riders seat, and the spring-tiller, substantially as described.

9. The combination, in a carriage, of the rocker, the adjustable riders seat, and the foot-board, said adjustable seat turning upon said rocker independently of the inclination of the rocker, substantially as described;

Vitness my hand this 24th day of July, 1890. Y

DAVID J. MOODY.

l/Vitnesses:

J. D. STILLMAN, A. B. STILLMAN.

IIO 

